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I had an idea for how I'd like a H-S-H guitar pickup selector, but I don't know if such an animal exists.

What I'd like is a 3-way switch, each position choosing the corresponding pickup. So, position 1 chooses bridge, 2 chooses middle, and 3 chooses neck pickup. Then, what I'd like is a push-pull knob each for the single volume and tone control. The volume knob, when pulled out, engages the neck pickup, when the middle is selected with the switch. The tone knob, when pulled out, engages the bridge pickup when the middle is selected.

Is this possible?

There are 3 reasons I want to do this. 1) I don't use positions 2 and 4 on a 5-way very much, 2) it'll make switching to the middle quicker and more accurate, 3) it'll make it easier to see what's selected on a quick glance.

Another vote on "tele switch". Also, if you find the "in between" points, you'll be able to fish out 2 and 4 like on old Strats. Simply wire the common to your volume pot, and your pickup leads to each of the three remaining lugs on that side.

Do you want the push/pull pots to work ONLY when the switch is in the middle position? That could be done for one pickup, but off of the top of my head I don't think you can do it with two. You just use the other side of the switch that is as of yet unused. It might be possible, but I haven't thought of a way yet.

If you want the push/pull pots to work regardless of switch position then it isn't a big deal.

As everyone has pointed out, the Tele switch will select three individual pickups in three positions, no problem. In fact, that only takes one pole of the switch.

But that's not the hard part. The hard part is getting the push-pull switches to function only when the selector switch is in the middle position and never have the neck and bridge interact in any other switch position. You need three poles on the selector switch to accomplish that, and the Tele switch has only two.

A more practical solution might be to use a Telecaster 4-way switch giving N, M, B, and N+B. Then have one push-pull switch which switches in the middle pickup in any position of the selector switch. That way you get all the combinations you asked for, just via a different approach.

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Edit: Upon further reflection, there *is* a way to do exactly what you asked for; it involves using a 3-way 4-pole Superswitch (link). The third pole would allow you to isolate the function of the push-pull switches to only the middle position of the selector switch.

Only problem is, I haven't physically examined one of these switches, and it could be too wide to fit in the tight control cavities one finds on some guitars (e.g. Telecaster). You haven't told us what sort of guitar you want to modify.

It should fit in a Strat, no problem. If you decide to do it, note that you need a *3-way* Superswitch, not the common 5-way. The 3-way ones are a rare item, the seller on eBay is the only place I know to get them.

You didn't ask for a wiring diagram, but I drew one up anyway for my own files:

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